10,000 Birds

APRIL 6, 2016

As I said last week , I’ve decided to try and knock off a few of the New Zealand endemics and specialities that I haven’t seen before over the coming year, and the first place that sprung to mind was pretty close, just across the Cook Strait in the Marlborough Sounds. Spotted Shags are endemic to New Zealand.

Charlotte 119

Charlotte New Zealand Seals Fur 119

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

This makes it a particularly exciting time in New Zealand as the Rugby World Cup begins in two days, and the competition is being held right here in New Zealand (I would imagine they might be more excited if they hadn’t just lost two matches to Australia and South Africa, their big rivals in the Tri-Nations).

New Zealand 157

New Zealand Penguins Sanctuary Birds 157

10,000 Birds

MAY 9, 2012

The objective wasn’t even birds, it was fur seals. They are now protected by Taputeranga Marine Reserve , a marine reserve created in 2008 and to protect marine life around Wellington. I’ve spoken before about the positive impacts marine reserves are having around New Zealand, so it is nice to have one around here.

Seals 161

Seals New Zealand Fur Marine Life 161

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 31, 2011

When it comes down to it New Zealand is all about islands. As I have explained before these islands are the best place for a lot of the birding here because they are more easily protected from introduced mammals which wreck such havoc on the wildlife here. Red-crowned Parakeet foraging near a New Zealand Fur Seal.

Penguins 165

Penguins Parrots New Zealand Seals 165